Composition, method and apparatus for safe disposal of oil contaminated filter media

ABSTRACT

Compositions, methods and apparatus (kits) for treating petroleum and petro-chemical based contaminants within expended filtration components, wherein the filtration components are exposed to water and a small concentrated volume of dormant bio-oxidizing medium comprising freeze-dried microorganisms on a freeze-dried substrate.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/992,511 filed Dec. 17,1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,759; which is a continuation of Ser. No.08/742,849, filed Nov. 1, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,504.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Increased Federal, State and Local environmental regulations haveproduced an increased focus of environmental consciousness on a globallevel. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with theOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have institutedincreased and stringent regulations for the processing, manufacturing,utilization, and disposal of chemical compounds. For the purpose of thisinvention, the regulations of particular interest are those in the fieldof petroleum products, particularly those consisting of petroleum andpetro-chemical based compounds (lubricating oils).

There are existing today numerous technologies for the reclamation andreprocessing of petroleum and petrochemical compounds including therecovery of oil to be used in power stations and factories as analternative source of fuel. When dealing with large volumes of thesewaste streams, there is a certain degree of technological and economicfeasibility. One particular segment of this disposal market dealsspecifically with a variety of filtration components such as engine oilfilter media and other filtration media utilized in automotive truck,marine and aircraft applications. These filtration media, when removedfrom the engine application, do represent petroleum and petrochemicalcontaminated materials. These filtration media typically do not provideenough oil on a per unit basis to warrant a recycling activity and sopose a significant disposal problem. This problem is of particularimportance in the face of increased environmental regulations which areimposed on large corporations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to provide compositions andmethods which will facilitate safe disposal of oil contaminated filtermedia and preferably an accelerated decomposition of the petroleumproducts within the filter media, most preferably by natural biologicaldecomposition.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method forthe safe disposal of oil contaminated filter media which meets orexceeds current environmental regulations for disposal of suchcontaminated materials and which also provides a positive environmentalimpact.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a simpleapparatus (kits) for treating contaminated filter media and filterhousings to prevent the escape of petroleum and petro-chemical basedcontaminants therefrom for safe disposal.

Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, furtherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

The present invention provides compositions, methods and apparatus fortreating filtration components with petroleum or petrochemical basedcompounds entrained therein to prevent leakage of these petroleum andpetro-chemical based compounds into the environment. Preferredembodiments incorporate a bio-oxidizing medium which acceleratesdecomposition of these petroleum products.

In one aspect of the present invention, there are provided compositionscapable of decomposing petroleum and petrochemical based compounds whichcomprise a dormant bio-oxidizing medium capable of oxidizing petroleumand petro-chemical based compounds, preferably to CO₂ and water. Thisbio-oxidizing medium comprises freezeried microorganisms on afreeze-dried substrate. The freeze dried microorganisms are capable ofdigesting petroleum or petrochemical based compounds upon rehydration.The freeze-dried substrate and freeze-dried microorganisms arefreeze-dried simultaneously.

In another aspect of this invention, there are provided methods fortreating filtration components to prevent the escape of the petroleumand petrochemical based contaminants entrained therein. These methodscomprise exposing the entrained petroleum and petrochemical basedcompounds to a dormant bio-oxidizing medium comprising freeze-driedmicroorganisms on a freeze-dried substrate as described above and water.The amount of water used rehydrates the freeze-dried substrate andfreeze-dried microorganism so as to activate the freeze-driedmicroorganisms, and provides a source of oxygen for the activatedmicroorganisms to digest petroleum and petrochemical based compoundsentrained within the filtration components.

Preferably at least 40 ml water is added per gram of dormantbio-oxidizing used. The filtration component is then sealed to retainthe petroleum, petrochemical based compounds, bio-oxidizing medium andwater therein so as not to escape into the environment. In preferredembodiments, at least 25%, most preferably at least 90%, of theentrained petroleum and petrochemical based compounds are digested bythe microorganisms.

In a further aspect of this invention, there are provided kits withwhich petroleum and petrochemical based compounds entrained withinfiltration components can be treated. These kits comprise a writtenprotocol which:

i) identifies at least one filtration component which can be treated,

ii) identifies a bio-oxidizing medium to be added to a filtrationcomponent identified in the written protocol,

iii) specifies an amount of water to be added to a filtration componentidentified in the written protocol, and

iv) indicates the filtration component should be sealed after additionof the bio-oxidizing medium and water.

The kit also comprises a dormant bio-oxidizing medium and, optionally, aseal for a filtration component identified in the written protocol. Theseal prevents the escape of entrained petroleum, petrochemical basedcompounds, bio-oxidizing medium and water from the filtration componentinto thee environment.

The compositions of this invention find wide use in decomposingpetroleum and petrochemical based compounds in many environments, whilethe methods and apparatus (kits) of this invention are well suited fortreating filtration components having petroleum and petrochemical basedcompounds entrained therein.

The “petrochemical based compounds” referred to herein include aromatichydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, cresol, nitroaromatics,polychlorinated biphenols, greases, chlorinated aliphatics and aromaticsand lipids.

The “filtration components” referred to herein include filter media,filter elements, filter housings and combinations thereof. Suitablefilter media include those prepared from conventional materials using aconventional configuration such as a corrugated absorbent paper.Preferably, the filter media are within a filter housing. The filtrationcomponents are treated to prevent the escape of petroleum andpetro-chemical based compounds entrained therein from escaping into theenvironment. This is accomplished by the methods of this invention whichcomprise:

a) exposing a filtration component contaminated with petroleum and/orpetro-chemical based components, to a dormant bio-oxidizing medium asdescribed above with sufficient water to reactivate said bio-oxidizingmedium and provide a source of oxygen for the activated microorganismsto digest the petroleum and petrochemical based compounds, and

b) sealing the filtration component to prevent the escape of petroleum,petro-chemical based compounds, bio-oxidation medium and water from thefiltration component into the environment.

The compositions, methods and apparatus (kits) of this invention can usea variety of microorganisms within the bio-oxidizing medium whichdecompose petroleum and petrochemical based compounds. For example,bacteria conventionally known to digest petroleum compounds can be usedas an active ingredient of the bio-oxidizing medium. There are severalforms of bacillus which can be successfully colonized upon filter mediawith petroleum contaminants. Bacteria which grow rapidly and digestpetroleum provide advantage in that colonization serves to increase theactivity of the bio-oxidizing medium allowing adjustment to the level ofcontaminants within the filtration components.

The petroleum and petrochemical based compounds within contaminated oilfilters are sometimes complex and, as such, combinations of bacteriawith or without enzymes can be effective in providing full degradationof the compounds to CO₂ and water. An example is the combination ofbacillus, licehniformis (BAS50) and pseudomonas denitrificans usedtogether with a dehydrogenase enzyme that serves as a catalyst for theremoval of hydrogen atoms to assist in the decomposition and digestionof the petroleum compounds by the bacterium.

The rate and extent of decomposition by the microorganisms deployed fordigestion of the petroleum compounds are, of course, important selectioncriteria; however, it is necessary that the microorganisms used can befreeze-dried and lie in a dormant state until exposed to water andpetroleum material. The freeze-dried microorganisms of the dormantbio-oxidizing medium are used with a substrate which is alsofreeze-dried. The microorganisms are freeze-dried simultaneously withthe substrate while supported thereon. A nutrient medium for themicroorganism, i.e., such as corn syrup, agar or other protein foodsource, is preferably used as the substrate for the microorganism andforms a crystalline structure. These materials can readily befreeze-dried with the microorganisms supported thereon. Theseembodiments enable accelerated colonization upon rehydration due to theproximity of the nutrient source to the petroleum digesting bacteria.

The bio-oxidizing medium preferably contains a sufficient amount offreeze-dried nutrient to sustain the resuscitated microorganisms for atleast one day in the absence of petroleum or petrochemical basedcomponents. The amount of nutrient is preferably at least 0.1 gms per10⁷ CFU (colony forming units) of microorganism.

Also of particular importance is the ability to activate/resuscitatefreeze-dried microorganisms simply and easily such as by the addition ofwater. The addition of water will not only rehydrate the microorganismsand substrate to initiate growth and digestion of petroleum andpetrochemical based compounds, in preferred embodiments, it will alsoprovide sufficient oxygen to sustain the microorganisms while digestingthe petroleum and petro-chemical based compounds. Water is preferablyused in an amount that forms a ratio of water to bio-oxidizing medium ofat least 40 ml per gram of bio-oxidizing medium. Where the substratecomprises freeze-dried nutrients in crystalline form, the microorganismshave immediate access to the rehydrated nutrients, which enhances thenumber of viable microorganisms. Providing a concentrated bio-oxidizingmedium with a large number of colony forming units will also increasethe number of viable microorganisms. It is preferable to provide atleast 10⁵ CFU of the microorganisms per gram of bio-oxidizing medium.

The substrate may include other components that assist in sustaining themicroorganisms such as an oxygen source, i.e., methyl cellulose andtitanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is extremely photosensitive and,therefore, readily reacts in the presence of sunlight. Photon energyadsorbed onto the titanium dioxide layer induces oxygen to attach to theoil or petroleum based materials which facilitates and accelerates theoxidation of the oil compounds. Where the bio-oxidizing medium will notbe exposed to light when digesting the petroleum compounds, TiO₂ willhave little value.

Other substrate components used in the compositions, methods andapparatus (kits) of this invention are those which rehydrate in thepresence of petroleum or petro-chemical based compounds and water.Suitable compounds fall within the group of polysaccharides,particularly celluloses or derivatives thereof derived from plantfibers.

The dormant bio-oxidizing media is preferably housed inside of a sealedcontainer such as a polyurethane bag, a gelatin capsule, or similarenclosure, that is sufficiently sealed to prevent the introduction ofmoisture or oxygen present in ambient air so as to remain dormant. Wherethe container will dissolve in water at ambient temperature, such as agelatin capsule, it need not be opened for use.

The bacteria are cultured on the substrate in solution to provide atleast 10⁵ CFU (colony forming units) in solution. The microorganisms andsubstrate are then isolated by conventional techniques, such ascentrifugation as described in “Molecular Cloning”, 2^(nd) Ed. ColdSpring Harbor Press (1989) p. 1.77. The recovered microorganisms andsubstrate are then freeze-dried by conventional techniques, preferablywith the use of liquid nitrogen.

It should be noted that this is the initial bacterium implant count notthe colony count of the bacterium after exposure to the expended filtermedium. The growth count is dependent on the amount of the petroleumand/or petro-chemical based contaminants within the filter media, aswell as the amount of water and pH of the petroleum and petro-chemicalbased contaminants at the time of introduction.

The bio-oxidizing medium is preferably used in amounts of from about 15wt. % to 30 wt. % of the contemplated, entrained petroleum and/orpetrochemical based compounds. For oil filters used in conventionalautomobile engines, the bio-oxidizing medium is typically used in anamount of from about 0.5 gm-2.0 gm. In preferred embodiments, thebio-oxidizing media are contained within gelatine capsules of less than1.5 gms. These bio-oxidizing media typically have about 10⁵-10¹² CFU ofthe microorganisms and require at least 40 ml of added water to generateand sustain a hydrocatalytic reaction which causes the bio-oxidizingmedia to digest the petroleum and petrochemical based compounds.

In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to also add to thefiltration components a coagulant, thickening agent and/or polymerabsorbent to prevent the escape of petroleum and petro-chemical basedcompounds into the environment. Initiators may also be added to aidactivation and growth of the microorganisms. The thickeners are selectedfrom a wide variety of compounds capable of absorbing petroleum andpetrochemical based compounds. The thickeners encompass both natural andsynthetic compounds and in addition to kaolinite and magnesia includethe families of the pillared clays, Fuller's earth, aluminas, starches,cellulose and granulated paper products such as paper pulp extracts andall forms of starches, haloysite, illite, monitmorillonite.

While compositions of the present invention are well suited fortreatment of petroleum and petrochemical based compounds withinfiltration components; they are not limited to such end uses. Inpreferred embodiments of this invention, the one or more microorganismsemployed are obtained by selective pressure to consume the contaminantsof interest. This is accomplished by growing a sample of themicroorganism in a small amount of the contaminant, recovering theviable organisms and growing these organisms at higher concentrations ofcontaminant until microorganisms which grow in substantially undilutedcontaminants, except for the added water, are obtained.

The kits of the present invention include a written protocol whichidentifies at least one filtration component which the kit can treat.The written protocol can vary widely in content from specificallyidentifying a model number or a product name, to a generic descriptionof a “used filter”, with the specific filters being identified by apicture, a code or other written indicia, a replacement filter for theexpended filter to be treated or other physical identifier.

The written protocol will include otter instructions with respect to theuse of the individual components of the kit, such as, for example, thewritten protocol will identify a bio-oxidizing medium to be added to thefiltration components with a specified amount of water. The writtenprotocol will also indicate the filtration components should be sealed,after the bio-oxidizing medium and water are added thereto, in a mannerwhich prevents the escape of the petroleum, petrochemical basedcompounds, water and bio-oxidizing medium from the filtration componentsinto the environment.

In addition to the written protocol, the kits of this invention includea dormant bio-oxidizing medium for treating the petroleum and/orpetrochemical based compounds within the filtration component, asdescribed above. The bio-oxidizing medium is enclosed within a containerto prevent premature activation. The container is preferably comprisedof a material which is water soluble at a temperature of 25° C.

The kits of the present invention can also include, in addition to abio-oxidizing medium, a coagulant, thickener and/or elastomer polymerabsorbent or initiator as described above. These components can provideadded advantage over the use of the bio-oxidizing medium alone inaccelerating the decomposition of the petroleum and petrochemical basedcompounds within the filtration components and reducing the risk of lossof petroleum products from the filter. However, significantly morematerial must be added to the filtration component, which can poseproblems when the material must be introduced into a filter housing.

The kits provided by the present invention can also contain a seal forthe filtration component or other means for retaining the petroleum andpetrochemical based compounds in the filtration components so as not toleak into the environment. The seals vary widely in configurationcomposition and operation. They can include separate containers such asa sealable bag which allows the treated filtration components to beplaced inside and sealed therein. The material which forms the bag ispreferably comprised of polyurethane or similar transparent synthetic,and is most preferably biodegradable. When the kit includes such a bag,the written protocol will indicate that the filtration components are tobe inserted in the bag and sealed following treatment with thebio-oxidizing medium and water.

Where the filtration components include a filter housing, the seal canvary widely from an end cap for the open end of the filter housing, aplug that fills both the inlet and outlets of the filter housing orsimply a film which covers the open end of the filter housing affixed tothe filter by an elastomeric band or similar retaining means. The sealfor the filtration components for retaining the petroleum andpetro-chemical based compounds may be integrated with the container orbox in which the replacement filters are packaged. For example, an endcap may be affixed to the inside of the packaging for a replacementfilter, such as the cover of a box. The expended filter will be sealedwhen inserted in the packaging and closed. Alternatively, the packagingfor the replacement filter itself may be adapted to function as asealable container for the expended filter.

Other means for retaining the petroleum and petrochemical basedcompounds in the filtration components vary widely and comprise the useof a coagulant, thickener, absorbent or other gelling component whichseals the contents of a filter housing. Other means also comprisedistorting a filter housing such as by crimping inlets and outlets orcrushing the filter housing itself.

Another optional element of the kits provided by the present inventionis a replacement filtration component for the filter component treated.Such a replacement can serve as a means for identifying the filtrationcomponent to be treated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a kit 50 of the present invention. Kit 50 comprises awritten protocol 51 which identifies at least one filtration componentfor which the kit is suitable and identifies the bio-oxidizing medium 75of the kit as a component to be added to an identified filtrationcomponent which is contaminated with petroleum and/or petrochemicalbased components. Written protocol 51 is shown as a separate componentbut may be integrated into other optional components, such as a sidepanel of a box for a replacement filter. Bio-oxidizing medium 75 isshown within container 77 which is preferably a water soluble gelatinecapsule.

Written protocol 51 also specifies a minimum amount of water to be addedto the contaminated filtration component to which the bio-oxidizingmedium 75 has been added. Such an amount may be specified withinstructions to “fill” the filtration component, such as a filterhousing with water. The written protocol also will indicate that theexpended filtration component with bio-oxidizing medium and water addedthereto be sealed to retain the petroleum, petrochemical basedcompounds, added water and added bio-oxidizing medium therein. Inpreferred embodiments, the written protocol will identify a seal for theexpended filtration component or other means for retaining thepetroleum, petrochemical based compounds, added water and addedbio-oxidizing medium within the filtration component.

Written protocol 51 can have other indications, depending on thecontents of bio-oxidizing media 75, and can comprise more than onewriting. Bio-oxidizing medium 75 can be placed in more than onecontainer and the components thereof can be placed in separatecontainers. For example, a portion of the nutrient medium can beincorporated in a separate container, although not preferred.

Kit 50 may also include other components such as a seal for the filterhousing such as an end cap 131, shown in FIG. 5a, plug 132, shown inFIG. 5b, or film 133 with elastomeric band 134, shown in FIG. 5c.Alternatively, the kit may include a sealable bag 135 with seal 20,shown in FIG. 5d to house the filtration component or the kit mayinclude a thickener and/or coagulant to be added to the filtrationcomponent which prevents the escape of petroleum by forming a gel.

FIG. 2a illustrates a kit 10 which is another embodiment of the presentinvention. Kit 10 comprises a replacement filter component 15 withfilter media 30 and filter housing 31. Also included in kit 10 isbio-oxidizing medium 75, as defined above, shown in a gelatine capsule77. Kit 10 further includes written protocol 100 which, at a minimum,identifies the filtration components for which the kit is suitable,identifies bio-oxidizing medium 75 as a component to be added to anidentified filtration component which is contaminated, specifies anamount of water to be added to the filtration component to which thebio-oxidizing medium is added and indicates the filtration components besealed to prevent the escape of petroleum and petro-chemical basedcomponents from the filtration component to the environment. Thecomponents of these kits may be separately packaged, transported and/orstored. The amount of water specified can be a simple instruction tofill a filter housing with water.

FIG. 2b illustrates an alternative configuration for kit 10, whereinwritten protocol 100 appears on a package 101 for the replacement filter15 and bio-oxidizing medium 75 in gelatin capsule 77.

FIGS. 3a and 3 b illustrate kits 20 and 30 of this invention,respectively, wherein a seal for a filter housing is provided. In FIG.3a, the seal comprises film 133 and elastomeric band 134. Writtenprotocol 51 appears on film 133. In FIG. 3b, the seal comprises end cap131 with written protocol 51 appearing thereon.

FIG. 4 illustrates end cap 136 as a seal, which is integrated withpackage 101 for a replacement filter. Written protocol 51 appears onpackage 101.

The method of this invention for treating filtration components withpetroleum and petrochemical based compounds entrained therein comprisesexposing filter media having petroleum and petrochemical based compoundsentrained therein to a dormant bio-oxidizing medium as described aboveand an amount of water which rehydrates the freeze-dried microorganismsand freeze-dried nutrient substrate, preferably crystalline, andprovides a source of oxygen for the activated microorganism to digestthe petroleum and petro-chemical based compounds within the filtrationcomponents. The filtration component is then sealed to retain thepetroleum, petrochemical based compound, bio-oxidizing medium and watertherein so as not to escape into the environment. Where a coagulant ispresent, additional water may be necessary to form a solid or gel withthe petroleum and/or petro-chemical based contaminants within thefiltration component. It may be necessary to disperse the bio-oxidizingmedium, coagulant, water and residual oil by agitation.

Petroleum digestion commences upon contact or exposure of thecontaminants to the microorganisms and water. The added water activatesthe bio-oxidizing medium and provides oxygen for the microorganism.Preferably, the water within the sealed container will providesufficient oxygen to sustain the petroleum digesting bacteria until thepetroleum and petrochemical based compounds are oxidized to CO₂ andwater. These biochemical reactions and reproduction cycles preferablycontinue until the filter medium approaches an equilibrium meaning thatall of the petroleum products and nutrients have been digested anddecomposed by the bacteria and there is no longer a sufficient foodsource to sustain the life of the petroleum digesting bacteria. Inpreferred embodiments, the filter media is digested as well.

EXAMPLES

An analysis of the biodegradability of a sample of waste oil with adehydrated bacterial culture is performed as follows:

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of a sample (0.010 mLs) of waste oil isfirst determined to approximate the extend of oxidation necessary toconsume all of the waste oil. The COD analysis is performed per StandardMethods 18th ed. Method 5220D “Closed Reflux Colorimetric Method”. Thewaste oil samples (0.010 mLs) are dissolved in 0.10 mLs of chloroformand diluted to 10 mLs with deionized water. A blank is prepared with0.10 mLs of chloraform and diluted to 10 mLs with deionized water. Sixreplicants are set up, the low and high values dropped, and theremaining four values averaged to obtain an average COD of 1,397,600mg/l. std. dev. 235,327 mg/l.

The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of waste oil samples sealed withdehydrated bacteria culture is determined as follows. A sample of wasteoil (0.010 mLs) is pipetted onto the side of a 300 mL BOD bottle andswirled to disperse along the side. Dilution waste was preparedaccording to OECD Guidelines Method 301 b and added to the bottles toapproximately ¾ R11. Two mls of seed were pipetted directly onto the oilsample to ensure contact. The seed is prepared by dissolving 0.623 ∂mgof a combination of dehydrated BAs 50 and pseudomonas dentrificans ondehydrated methylcellulose and corn syrup in 300 mLs of deionized waterand stirring for 1 hour prior to use. The BOD bottle is then filled tothe neck with dilution water. The initial dissolved oxygen is taken andthe bottle capped. The replicants are set up, the high and low valuesdropped and the remaining eight values averaged after 5 days, 15 daysand 28 days. The average BOD values are reported in Table 1 below, andthe % biodegradability values are determined for the average COD values.

Examples of values are reported in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Incubation 5 days 15 days 28 days Average BOD   34,700 mg/L  76,400 mg/L   159,800 mg/L Average BOD 1,397,600 mg/L 1,397,600 mg/L1,397,600 mg/L % Biode- 2.5% 5.5% 11.4% gradability

The results show that the dehydration bacteria or a freeze-driedsubstrate can be activated/resuscitated rapidly with the addition ofwater and will grow/digest with waste oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understoodwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a kit of the present invention for treating petroleumand petrochemical based compounds within filtration components;

FIGS. 2a and 2 b illustrate another kit of the present invention fortreating petroleum and petrochemical based compounds within filtrationcomponents;

FIGS. 3a and 3 b illustrate kits of the present invention with optionalseals;

FIG. 4 illustrates a seal incorporated in the replacement filterpackaging used in kits and methods of this invention;

FIGS. 5a-5 c each illustrate a different seal for use in the kits andmethods of this invention; and

FIG. 5d is a transparent bag which can be used in the kits and methodsof this invention to prevent the escape of petroleum and petrochemicalbased compounds into the environment.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

The subject matter of copending applications Ser. No. 08/742,849, filedNov. 1, 1996, and Ser. No. 08/992,693, filed Dec. 17, 1997 (AttorneyDkt. No. DANA 68P1), assigned to the same assignee, are herebyincorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition capable of decomposing petroleumand petro-chemical based compounds which comprises a dormantbio-oxidizing medium which comprises freeze-dried microorganisms on afreeze-dried substrate, wherein the freeze-dried microorganisms arecapable of digesting petroleum and/or petro-chemical based compoundsupon rehydration, and wherein said freeze-dried substrate andfreeze-dried microorganisms are freeze-dried simultaneously, whereinsaid freeze-dried substrate comprises freeze-dried nutrients for saidmicroorganisms which were liquid before freeze drying.
 2. A combinationcomprising a) a composition capable of decomposing petroleum andpetro-chemical based compounds which comprises a dormant bio-oxidizingmedium which comprises freeze-dried microorganisms on a freeze-driedsubstrate, wherein the freeze-dried microorganisms are capable ofdigesting petroleum and/or petro-chemical based compounds uponrehydration, and wherein said freeze-dried substrate and freeze-driedmicroorganisms are freeze-dried simultaneously, wherein saidfreeze-dried substrate comprises freeze-dried nutrients for saidmicroorganisms and b) a scaled container which dissolves in water at 25°C., wherein the bio-oxidizing medium is housed within said scaledcontainer.
 3. A composition as in claim 2, wherein said dormantbio-oxidizing medium comprises at least 10⁵ colony forming units of saidmicroorganism per gram of said dormant bio-oxidizing medium.
 4. Acomposition as in claim 2, wherein said bio-oxidizing medium containsmore than one strain of microorganism capable of digesting petroleumand/or petro-chemical based compounds.
 5. A composition as in claim 4,wherein said bio-oxidizing medium additionally comprises catalyticenzymes which aid in oxidizing the petroleum and/or petrochemical basedcompounds.
 6. A composition as in claim 2, wherein the freeze-driednutrients are in crystalline form.
 7. A composition as in claim 3,wherein the amount of freeze-dried nutrients within the bio-oxidizingmedium is sufficient to sustain the microorganisms once resuscitated forat least 1 day in the absence of petroleum or petrochemical basedcompounds.
 8. A composition as in claim 2, wherein the amount offreeze-dried nutrients is at least 0.1 gms per 10⁷ CFU of microorganismswithin said bio-oxidizing medium.
 9. A composition as in claim 2,wherein the bio-oxidizing medium additionally contains a componentselected from the group consisting of coagulants, thickeners, polymerabsorbents and combinations thereof.
 10. A composition as in claim 6,wherein the number of colony forming units (CFU) of microorganisms pergram of freeze-dried substrate is at least 10⁶.
 11. A composition as inclaim 2, wherein the bio-oxidizing medium additionally contains a sourceof oxygen for the microorganisms once activated.
 12. A composition as inclaim 2, wherein said bio-oxidizing medium additionally comprisesinitiators which aid resuscitation of said petroleum digestingmicroorganisms before use.
 13. A composition as in claim 1 wherein thefreeze dried nutrients comprise corn syrup.
 14. A composition as inclaim 1 wherein the freeze dried nutrients comprise agar.
 15. Acomposition as in claim 1 wherein the freeze dried nutrients comprise aprotein food source other than agar.